ICO KNEE JOINT. 



to the articulation ; the remaining three are mere folds of synovial mem- 

 brane, and have no title to the name of ligaments. In addition to the 

 ligaments, there are two nbro-cartilages, which are sometimes very erro- 

 neously considered among the ligaments ; and a synovial membrane, 

 which is still more improperly named the capsular ligament. 



The anterior ligament, or ligamentum patella, is the prolongation of 

 the tendon of the extensor muscles of the thigh downwards to the tubercle 

 of the tibia. It is, therefore, no ligament; and, as we have before stated, 

 lhat the patella is simply a sesamoid bone, developed in the tendon of the 

 extensor muscles for the defence of the front of the 

 knee joint, the ligamentum patellae has no title to con- 

 sideration, either as a ligament of the knee joint or as a 

 ligament of the patella. 



A small bursa mucosa is situated between the liga- 

 mentum patellae, near its insertion and the front of the 

 tibia, and another of larger size is placed between the 

 anterior surface of the patella and the fascia lata. 



The posterior ligament, ligamentum posticum Wins- 

 lowii, is a broad expansion of ligamentous fibres which 

 covers the whole of the posterior part of the joint. 

 It is divisible into two lateral portions which invest the 

 condyles of the femur, and a central portion which is 

 depressed, and formed by the interlacement of fasciculi 

 passing in different directions. The strongest of these 

 fasciculi is thai which is derived from the tendon of the semi-membranosus, 

 and passes obliquely upwards and outwards, from the posterior part of 

 the inner tuberosity of the tibia to the external condyle. Other accessory 

 fasciculi are given off by the tendon of the popliteus and by the heads of 

 the gastrocnemius. The middle portion of the ligament supports the 

 popliteal artery and vein, and is perforated by several openings for the 

 passage of branches of the azygos articular artery, and for the nerves of 

 the joint. 



The internal lateral ligament is a broad and trapezoid layer of liga- 

 mentous fibres, attached above to the tubercle on the internal condyle of 

 the femur, and below to the side of the inner tuberosity of the tibia. It 

 is crossed at its lower part by the tendons of the inner hamstring, from 

 which it is separated by a synovial bursa, and it covers in the anterior 

 slip of the semi-membranosus tendon and the inferior internal articulai 

 artery. 



External lateral ligaments. The long external lateral ligament is a 

 strong rounded cord, which descends from the posterior part of the 

 tubercle upon the external condyle of the femur to the outer part of the 

 head of the fibula. The short external lateral ligament is an irregular 

 fasciculus situated behind the preceding, arising from the external condyle 

 near the origin of the head of the gastrocnemius muscle, and inserted into 

 the posterior part of the head of the fibula. It is firmly connected with 

 the external semilunar fibro-cartilage, and appears principally intended to 

 connect that cartilage with the fibula. The long external lateral ligament 



* An anterior view of the ligaments of the knee joint. 1. The tendon of the quadri- 

 ceps extensor muscle ot the leg. 2. The patella. 3. The anterior ligament, or liga- 

 tnentum paieufr-, r.car its insertion. 4, 4. The synovial membrane. 5. The internal 

 *Ueral ligament. G. The long external lateral ligament. 7. The anterior super ioi tibio- 

 tiljular ligament. 



